Overview & Reviews

Chevrolet sells an impressively wide range of vehicles, from subcompact hatchbacks to huge vans and SUVs. If you're looking for a reasonably priced vehicle, odds are that Chevy will have something to fit your needs.

Chevrolet got its start in 1911. After William C. Durant had been ousted from General Motors, he joined forces with Swiss-born racecar driver Louis Chevrolet to found the Chevrolet Motor Car Company. The company's first offering was the Classic Six. Introduced in 1912, this five-passenger touring sedan could top 65 mph, fast for the time. Chevrolet's storied bowtie logo -- reportedly inspired by the wallpaper of a Paris hotel room that Durant stayed at -- made its first appearance in 1914.

By 1918, Chevrolet's profitability allowed Durant to purchase enough shares in GM to regain control. Chevrolet became another division of GM, and was its largest volume division by the mid-1920s. By 1927, Chevrolet outsold rival Ford, with sales in excess of 1 million units.

In the mid-1930s Chevrolet introduced independent front suspension, which provided a smoother ride over the rough roads of the day. The 1940s saw continued success with affordable coupes, sedans and pickup trucks catering to American families, farmers and businessmen.

By the mid-1950s, Chevrolet, GM's entry-level division, had added a V8 engine, power steering and brakes, power windows and air-conditioning to its list of available features, allowing luxury for those on a tighter budget. Around this time the iconic Bel Air model -- available in coupe, sedan, convertible and wagon body styles -- proved very popular. The company introduced its alluring Corvette in 1953; the vehicle was the first mass-produced car with a fiberglass body.

The 1960s saw the unveiling of the popular, air-cooled Corvair compact, which held the distinction of being the first domestic production car with all-around independent suspension. That decade also witnessed the launch of the compact Nova, the midsize Chevelle and the sporty Camaro, the latter Chevrolet's answer to the wildly successful Ford Mustang. The Camaro proved an instant hit, comprising 10 percent of Chevrolet's total sales in 1967, its first year of production.

In the 1970s, Chevy responded to changing preferences by introducing small cars like the Vega and the Chevette, and by downsizing larger models such as the Caprice and Malibu. The company combated the market domination of foreign nameplates in the 1980s by rolling out the Cavalier. By the end of that decade, trucks and SUVs had started to become increasingly popular with the general consumer, and the brand's mid- and full-size models continue to this day to be some of the most popular on the road.

The '90s and the early 2000s saw the company raising the performance bar with its Corvette (notably the Z06 and, later, ZR1 variants) and reincarnated Impala SS. Chevrolet's Silverado pickup truck and Tahoe/Suburban SUVs continued to be hits as well. By 2010, the Camaro had returned to the lineup after a seven-year hiatus.

Modern times have seen Chevrolet make significant improvements in its small and midsize car models and introduce the Volt plug-in hybrid. The latter provides a nearly 40-mile range on electric power alone, and adds to the company's already well-rounded lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. Though today's marketplace is very demanding, Chevrolet seems poised to remain a power player through its affordable and innovative vehicles.

User Reviews:

• 

  The Blazer - 2003 Chevrolet Blazer
  By K.B. - November 29 - 2:00 am

  It is a nice car and it handles well. Good for families with children. If you want a larger S.U.V. I suggest you buy a Chevy Tahoe or Suburban. I have found out that the exterior body style is a tad out of date. It is a smaller sibling of the new TrailBlazer. Overall, it is a great S.U.V. to drive.

• 

  Disappointed - 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
  By disappointed - November 25 - 8:00 pm

  The gas mileage is what makes me disappointed. I only get 15 mpg in city and about 18 on the highway. This is nowhere close to what the advertised mileage is on this car. The plastic interior is misaligned as well on the door frame.

• 

  would not buy again - 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer
  By distraught husband - November 24 - 10:00 am

  Have had numerous problems with this SUV. An annoying hum, a squeak in the front suspension (that took several trips to the dealer to repair), the wipers quit working, the A/C quit working (twice). Seems like this vehicle has been in the shop more than in my garage. Build quality is poor for a $36,000 vehicle.

• 

  Worst Investment Ever - 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
  By missy89 - November 22 - 8:20 am

  I bought the car used 3 years ago with 43,000 miles on it. Since then Ive had to nothing but problems: -Needed a new starter -Drivers side window motor -Heater wires melted and needed to be replaced ($300 fix) -Gas sensor does not work ($700 fix) - 2 wheelbearings - New Battery - Throttle body cleaning (felt like the car would die out when idling) - back emblem fell off - New Transmission at 100,000 Only positive- great in the snow

• 

  Amazingly Misinformed Dealer - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By tk_ki - November 18 - 2:00 am

  Okay, weve anyone thinking about buying a used OR new Malibu should first check out a Camry or Altima. The engine has had a tapping noise from day one, 4th set of brakes in 35,000 miles, A/C has a mind of its own, rattles get progressively worse, front end is mushy, dealer acts as though Malibus have no known service issues. HA! There have been over 200 "service notices" since this particular style of Malibu came to market in 1997. My dealer hates to see me coming at this point. My vehicle is leased, and is going back to the dealer where I purchased it from at lease end. BEWARE of OFF LEASE MALIBUS!

• 

  I want another Toyota - 1996 Chevrolet Blazer
  By uncleharvey - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I had a Toyota 4x4 for 12 years before this vehicle, and I am looking at Toyota again. We have put to much money into this 6 year old vehicle (AC compressor, Heater core, Battery, alternator, Rear latch) all of which were fine on my Toyota after 10 years. Not impressed with the workmanship and the reliability of American(at least Chevy) trucks.

• 

  Not reliable - 1996 Chevrolet S-10
  By Boris2 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle falls appart at 125,000 miles in spite of carefull and regular mainteance. Air conditionner stopped working: $800 Transmission broke twice! $2000 + $1500 Intake gasket leak: $500 The oil pressure has dropped considerably lately and the car may need a rebuilt engine soon $$$??

• 

  Typical American Car - 1997 Chevrolet Suburban
  By amccoy - November 15 - 2:00 am

  Our Suburban has a little over 50,000 on it, mostly city miles. We pull a Coleman popup trailer with it when we go camping which doesnt seem to strain the engine at all, even climbing. Overall, we like the vehicle, however, we have experience our share of the quality problems mentioned by the other reviewers. The transmission went out at just over 42,000, the alternator went out, and the things seems to go through batteries every few years and the brakes are terrible. My transmission guy said that it should have lasted longer than it did, however, after reading the other reviews, I see I am not alone.

• 

  Its Ok? - 2000 Chevrolet Malibu
  By Jonboy - November 13 - 2:00 am

  I dont love it but I dont hate it. The car has a unique shape to it that I like. Its bold and rigidy. Brakes stink on it but manages to stop. I gotta say for a Chevy 3.1 V6 170hp, thats pretty good. Its got great acceleration,but it just sounds like a truck. Its an ok car in my book.oh its got good speakers for factory.

• 

  Generally not pleased - 2001 Chevrolet S-10
  By 711 - November 12 - 2:00 am

  generally very unhappy. build quality is very poor...windnoise, etc. Recurrent check engine light issues, clunky brakes, and power steering decides not to work well at times. Transmission not smooth in city driving